RIYADH — The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced Friday that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed a drone allegedly launched by Houthi forces over the Medina region in western Saudi Arabia.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interception, describing it as the latest in a series of reported attacks against Saudi territory.
According to the coalition, Friday witnessed four separate Houthi attacks involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles targeting different parts of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s internationally recognized government strongly condemned the renewed attacks on Aden’s Maashiq Presidential Palace and Aden International Airport. Officials said the palace had been targeted for a second time, while the airport had faced its seventh reported attack. They also raised concerns over an alleged attempt to target Mecca.
The Yemeni government described the incidents as a serious escalation that threatened regional stability, government institutions and civilian infrastructure. It also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of protecting Islamic holy sites.
However, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree rejected allegations that his group had launched attacks against Saudi territory. In a statement posted on X, he accused Saudi Arabia of inventing claims about the interception of a drone near Medina.
Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition had reported intercepting and destroying three additional threats, including a ballistic missile heading towards the kingdom’s southern region, a cruise missile approaching its western region and a drone detected in the Mecca region.
The conflicting statements have heightened concerns over escalating military tensions and the potential consequences for regional security.
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